Universal joint



Sept. 25, 1928. 1,685,510

W. H. THIEMER UNIVERSAL JOINT Original Filed Nov. 17. 1922 iffy;

Patented Sept. 25, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. THIEMER, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR 'IO SPICER MANUFACTUR- OF SOUTH P LAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF' IN G CORPORATION, VIRGINIA.

Reflled for abandoned application Serial No. 601,458, filed November 17,

October 24, 1924.

This invention relates to universal joints, and more particularly to joints of the lubricating type. The general object of the invention is to provide a joint of this character which is capable of operating efiiciently with light or thin oil. A further object of the invention is to provide joints of this type with an eflicicnt means for retaining the bushings thereof in place; a still further object of the invention is to provide for such joints an improved construction of lubricant well within the central portion of the cross member.

In the drawings forming a part hereof, Fig. 1 represents a sectional elevation of a joint constructed in accordance with my inone side, formed by the metal of which the'cross vention; Fig. 2 a vertical sectional View through the cross member shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 a sectionalview corresponding to the line 3.-3 of Fig. 1.

In the drawings forming a part hereof, 1 and 2 denote the hubs of the joint, said hubs being adapted to be attached in the usual manner to their respective shaft sections (not shown). Each hub is shown as provided with a pair of integral arms" 3, each having a bearing block 4, each block having a bore 5 extending therethrough, the outer end of each bore being threadedyas indicated at 6. The outer portion of each bearing block which is presented toward the cross member is beveled away, as shown at 7 to facilitate assembling. i I v The cross member comprises a central body 8 having an enlarged well 9 for lubricant, the well extending inwardly from andthe bottom of the well being member is composed. The outer end of the well is expanded and provided with a cy1in- Q drical wall 10 which is adapted to form a seat for and to receive the cylindrical flange 12 of a cap 11. As will appear from Fig.' 2, when the cap is a plied to its seat it projects' within the cylindrical-val 10, beyond the bodyv of the cross member and formswith the chamber 9 therein a well of great capacity. The cap is secured in place by having atight pressed-fit with the seat 10, whereby an oil-tight joint is provided..

The cross member will preferably have one pair of arn1sv13 and trunnions 14 formed UNIVERSAL JOINT.

1922. This application filed Serial No. 745,714.

integral therewith, while the opposite arms Wlll be of substantially the length of the arms 13, the trunnions being preferably formed by an insertible sleeve 15. The arrangement referred to is merely forthe purpose of facilitating the assembly of the cross member with arms formed integral with their hubs and having continuous integral bearing blocks and, in its details, forms. no part of the invention sought to be covered by this application, In whatever manner the arms and trunnions may be formed, there will be an annular shoulder 16 provided at the vinner end ofeach trunnion.

17 denotes the cylindrical body of a bushing adapted to receive Within its inner surface the trunnion 14 and having near the outer end of its outer cylindrical surface a thread 18adapted to mesh with the thread 6. Each bushing is provided with a flange 19 adapted to engage the outerend of its bearing block and has itscenter closed in any convenientmanner, as by means of a cap 20 fitted within the outer end of its bore and electrically welded to the bushing, as indicated at 21, the parts being so arranged that't-he flange 19 will engage the outer surface of the block 4 slightly in advance of the engagement of the inner end ,of the cap 20 with the outer end of its trunnion, whereby room or clearance will be provided for a film of oil beyond the outer end'of the trunnion.

To prevent the leakage of oil from the inner end of the bushing bore, provide the following construction: 1

22 denotes a resilient sheet meial ring I having a flange 22 the with the said trunnion and bushing an.

annular, pocket for a ring of packing material 23, preferably cork. The flange 22 will resistvoutward expansion of the upper or outer end of the ring, while its lower end.

will engage the shoulder 16 in advance of the abutting of the inner face of the flange 19 with the outer face of the bearing block upper or on er edge whereof is adapted to engage. the peripheral 4. With this arrangement, it is evident that, by screwing in on the bushing, the packing will be compressed against the joint formed between the bushing and ther trunnion, thereby preventing leakage.

To revent the unscrewlng of the bushing,

with t e consequent relievingof pressure on 1922, which became abandoned on July 14,

Having thus described my invention,-what I claim is v X 1. In a universal joint, the combination with atrunnion having a shoulder at its inner end, of a bearing block adaptedto re-' ceive. such trunnion and having a bore provided with a thread, a bushing threaded into such bore and receiving the trunnion'therewithin, a ring of resilient metal surrounding such trunnion and interposed between the inner end of said bushing and its cooperating shoulder, said ring having a cylindrical flange whose outer edge is adapted to be'en-" gaged by the inner end of the bushing and a portion toward said shoulder and the trunnion nd adapted to engage said shoulder there y formingia pocket between the inner endof.

v the trunnion and the bushing, which pocket is adapted to be contracted in cross-sectional area by screwing said bushing inwardly, compressible packing material in said pocket .and directly engaging said trunnion, and means for conducting lubricant to the space between the bushing and the trunnion.

I v 2.. In a universal joint, the combination of a hollow cross inembei having hollow trunnions projecting therefrom, there being a shoulder provided at the inner end' of each trunnion, a bearing block adapted to receiweeach trunnion-and having each a bore provided with a thread, a capped bushing deflected inwardly from such flange x signature. threaded into each bore andreceivlng t-herewithin a trunnion, each bushing having an annular groove therearound and a resilient locking ring in such groove adapted to engage the inner end of a bearing block when the said bushing is screwed home, and a compressible washer interposed between the inner end of each bushing and its cooperating shoulder. a 3. In a universal joint,

a bearing block having a the combination of bore tlieret-hrough provided with a thread, a bushing having a thread adapted to mesh withthe thread in said bore and provided with a flange adapted to engage with the outer face of said block, a cross membenhaving fa trunnion adapted to be received Within said bushing, the said bushingv having an annular groove in the exterior thereof, and a split or open ring adapted to be applied to said groove and to engage the inner. end of the bearing block when the said fiange shall have substantially contacted with the outer end of such block. 4. A universal joint comprising bearing blocks and across memb r having trunnions for said blocks, the sai trunnions having bores communicating with the central well in said cross member, ing inwardl I 'nto the central portion of said member from'one side thereof and being provided adjacent to such side with a cylindrical seat of greater diameter than the diameter of the main portion of said welhand a cap having a cylindrical flange having a pressed-fit 'in-said seat, said'cap and said cylindrical seat forming a lubricant chamber in addition to the well in said cross member.

5. A universal joint comprising bearing blocks and a cross member having trunnions for said blocks, the said truilnions having bores communicating with a central well in said cross members, said well extending inwardly from one side, the bottom of the well being formed by the metal of which the cross member is: composed, the outer end of the'well being expanded and provided withifiii a cylindrical wall, a cylindrical cap having a flange adapted to be secured, within said cylindrical wall, the endwall of the cap projecting beyond the body of the cross mem: ber where y. to cooperate with said well to form an enlarged lubricant receiving 'cham- 'ber. v a

In testimony -whereof,'I hereunto afiix my- WILLIAM H. THIEMER.

the said well extend- 

